Fredericksburg, Va—With three older siblings who are active in theater programs, Hannah and Noah have plenty of exposure to musical theater. As part of STEP VA Inc.’s Dr. Seuss class, the siblings have jumped into their own experience with both feet.
The class works like a feeder program for STEP VA’s spring musical. Now in it’s 10th year, STEP VA, the local 501(c)3 non-profit that “empowers people with disabilities and their families through creative expression and sensory exploration,” offers a variety of year-round programming, with one of the biggest events being the spring musical.
Dubbed the “Dr. Seuss class” because this year’s show is Seussical Jr., the class allows students who have minimal or no experience with musical theater or stage performance to learn the ropes in a less demanding atmosphere. Meeting one hour a week for eight weeks, the Dr. Seuss class—comprising also Micah, Vanessa and Kaden—is learning their own song and dance, which they’ll get to perform before the main shows, on both April 13 and 14th.
The experience will be Noah’s first time on stage but as someone whose mom describes him as “a comedian” and someone who “loves to make people laugh,” it’s unlikely to be his last.
Seussical Jr. will be Hannah’s second time on stage, though her first foray into musical theater. Having participated in the Darby’s Dancer program through Fredericksburg Ballet Center last year, she performed in the studio’s May recital.
While the two aren’t particularly familiar with the works of Dr. Seuss, their mom signed them up for the class because they both enjoy singing and dancing around the house.
“They’re excited to do what their older siblings are doing,” said their mom, Candice.
The Dr. Seuss class will kick things off at STEP VA’s presentation of Seussical Jr. at Courtland High school on April 13 at 6 p.m., and on April 14 at 3 p.m. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased HERE.
For more information or to donate to the organization, visit www.stepva.org.
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STEP VA, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization that provides sensory-based theater and arts programs for individuals with disabilities. Its vision is to transform the world by offering each individual the opportunity to flourish in the community.